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Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday morning issued a joint statement in Tokyo agreeing to develop a future-oriented ¡°strategic reciprocal relationship."
The concept is based on a diplomatic principle of acknowledging the difference in their respective positions, and pursuing and promoting common interests. The principle was first adopted as the basic spirit for the bilateral relations by Hu and then Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in a summit in October 2006
According to the statement issued after the Hu-Fukuda summit, the two countries will "look squarely into history and toward the future." The statement said China ¡°highly praises¡± Japan's efforts to remain a peaceful state since World War II and its contributions to peace and stability in the world. Instead of urging Japan to examine itself and take responsibility for its past wrongdoings, China acknowledged Japan's achievements as a peaceful nation, suggesting Beijing will give priority to the future over the past in bilateral relations.
Hu and Fukuda agreed to make sure that the leaders of the two countries visit each other every year. According to the statement, China welcomes and supports Japan and North Korea in their efforts to solve all bilateral issues and normalize diplomatic relations.
It was the first time since the China-Japan Joint Statement in 1972, which declared the normalization of bilateral relations, that the leaders of the two countries have signed a joint document.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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